Republican U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullinurged the House of Representatives on Sunday to share an undisclosed ethics report into allegations of sexual misconduct by Matt GaetzPresident-elect Donald Trump’s choice for attorney general, involving a 17 year old girl.
Gaetz, of 42 years oldresigned his seat in the Republican-controlled House on Wednesday, hours after asset revealed his choice of lawmaker and two days before the House Ethics Committee released its report, which also investigated allegations of illegal drug use. Gaetz denies any wrongdoing.
Mullin told “Meet the Press” BNC that the Senate, which has the power to confirm or deny Trump’s nominations for high office, you need to see the report.
“The Senate should have access to it.” Mullin said. “Should this be made public or not? I suppose that will be part of the negotiations.”
Gaetz is one of several Cabinet nominees selected by Trump last week who don’t have the typical candidate background. for high-level jobs in administration.
The candidate will have to be confirmed by the Senate, where Trump’s Republicans will have the majority of votes. at least 52 of the 100 seatsto get the job. This may not be an easy task, as many are skeptical about the election.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday that the ethics committee should not release its report and maintained that position Sunday.
Although the president does not have the power to stop the release of an ethics committee report, Johnson clarified: “I am simply stating what I think is the obvious point: that We don’t want to go down that path.“, as reported Reuters citing the cnn.
Mulin insists
Mullin has previously described Gaetz as unprincipled, saying this Sunday that “Matt Gaetz’s past mattersHowever, he claimed he had not made a decision on whether he would vote for or against Gaetz.
“I will give you good lucklike any individual,” Mullin said.
The Justice Department investigated Gaetz for almost three years due to allegations of sex trafficking it involved the teenager. Gaetz’s office said in 2023 that prosecutors informed him that would not face criminal charges.
He a girl’s lawyer He requested the release of the report on Thursday.
Playtime meeting
Mullin said he was willing to allow Trump avoid the Senate if they fail to reach an agreement, but this will only be in cases of extreme necessity. This option, known as playtime meetingallows the president to circumvent Senate control over his appointments.
Trump has asked Republican lawmakers to give him that authority, which would allow him name someone you want without restrictions.
The reaction of the Democrats
THE Democrats of the Senate expressed broad opposition to the election of Gaetz.
The Democratic Senator Chris Coons explained in Fox News that the Senate has an important function in the Constitution. He said his task this is advice and give approval to ensure that an elected president can do his job.
However, he also added that the Senate should not allow the president to appoint people who are not qualified or that they lack the character necessary to lead an agency as important as the Department of Justice.
